Driving mechanism for motor vehicles



June 8,1926.- j

'5.' MUNSON DRIVING MECHANISM Foa no TQR VEHICLES 4 Sheets-.Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 4, 1924 v I INVENToR. Swen@ Mu nson,

.A oNE June 8 1926. 1,588,260

` MUNSON DRIVING MEGHANISMA FOR MOTOR. VEHICLES' Y Filed Feb. 4. 1924 I 4 Sheets-Sheet SweneyMunson, -BY

` I -ATToRN -Jgne 8 1926.

- s. MUNSO'N DRIVING MEGHANISM FOR Moron VEHICLES v INVENToR.' ,f l SwenQy'Munson,

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 8, i

UNiTED STATES lPA'FEN'r oiF'icE. j

' SWENE'Y MUNSON, 0F SCAJYIMON', KANSAS.

Dnrvnre MEHANISM ron Moron vaincus'.

-`.appnmizm siepi February 4, 1924. serial No... eeoo.

driving connections between certain of the transmission elements, and with such means so constructed to overcome any cramp in the connections up to a shift of the transmission elements relatively to each other, of approxi mately thirty .degrees of an angle, thereby providing for the satisfactory driving of the front wheels when steering. j

VA further object of the invention is to ro-` `vide, in a vmanner vas hereinafter set fort a vdrive for motor vehicles, includinga drive vehicle, a driving element interposed between said shaft and a transmission and a universal joint connection between said'drive shaft and r said driving element and with such joint connection constructed to overcome any cramp in the connection up to a shift of the. shaft f y relative to said element, of approximately thirty degrees of an angle, thereb providing -'for the satisfactory driving o the-A front.

v wheels in unison.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a

l drive for motor vehicles, and with said drive including universal joint connections between the axle spindlesand the sections of the front axle of the vehicle, and with the Vuniversal joint connections constructed to overcome any cramp between the spindles foregoing andother objects in 5.5 view, the invention consists of the novel conshaft associated with the front wheels of the' and axle sections when said spindles and sec eilicient in its use,

struction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more specifically de' -scribed and illustrated in the accompanying'Y drawings', wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which come within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a bottom'plan view of a drive, l I

in accordance with this invention, showing the adaptation thereof in connection with the Y front wheels of a vehicle.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of a transmission. j

Figure -3 is a fragmentary sectional View of the transmission. i

Figure 4 is aA rearelevationofthe transmission.`

Figure 5 is a view looking towards one ofl Figure 9 is a fragmentary detail of one of the elements of the universal joint driving connection. l

Figure 10 is a top plan View of the universgal joint driving connection shown in Figure Figure 11 is a perspective view of a detail of the universal joint driving connection.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of one of the sect-ions of the universal joint driving connection shown in Figure 8.

Referrin to the drawings in detail, 1 denotes the c assis or frame of the motor vehicle, 2 the motor, 3 the transmission, 5 'the rear wheels, -6 the differential for the front' axle and `fthe front wheels. The front and 4 rear vehicle springs are indicated at 8, 9 re-v dicated at 10.

The transmission 3 includes a shaft 11,.

which-- projects rearwardly from the transformed by .the rearend wall 12 of the transllis mission vcasing 3, and a depending plate 13 formed integral with the .wall 12. The plate 13, as well as the wall 12, has formed integral therewith .a continuous right angularly disposed. extension 14, provided with a lateral Hangs-15. Abutting against the llange 15,

aswell as being connected therewith, by the holdefast devices 16, is 'a closure plate 17, which in connection vwith the extension 14, pla-te 13 and wall 12 provides a chamber. 18, arranged at the rear end of the transmission casing, as well as depending below said casing. The wall 12 is-provided with an openp late 17,`w1th in the rib 35, vis a .cage`39 prof v vided with bearing bal-ls 40, which travell ing 19 for the passage of the shaft 11,' and the latter projects throu h and rearwardly with respect to the cham er 18.

The plate 17 near its upper end, is formed with a flaring opening 20 of greater diameter than the opening 19, and said plate 17 near its lower portion is formed with a aring opening 21. The plate 13 has aflaring ropening 22, which is arranged in align-A ment? with the opening 21 and iares-in an opposite direction with respect to,the.i:la're','.

of the. opening 21. Formed integral with the plate 17, near its upper portion and projecting outwardly therefrom is a'tubular extension 23, .having a flaring inner face forming a continuation of the wall oi the open# ling 20. Formed integral with the plate 17 below the tubular extension 23,`as well as projecting outwardly from said plate .17, is a tubular extension 24 having a flaring inner face which forms a continuation of the open' The extensions 23 and 24 project.

ing 21. p rearwardly with respect t0 the transmission casing. Formed integral with the plate 13 -and projecting forwardly therefrom, is a tubularv extension 25 having a flaring inner f face forming a continuation o f the wall of the opening 22. The inner face of the ex tension 25 flares` in an opposite directionv with respect to the inner face of the extension 24. The extensions A23, 24 and 25 are provided at their outer ends with .periphf eral' threads 26- for the purpose of detachably connecting to each extension an interiorly threaded closure cap. The cap mounted on the extension 23 is indicated at 27, that. on the extension 24 at 28, and vthat mounted on the extension 25 at 29. Interposed between. the cap27 and the vextension 23 is a packing element 30..

The cap 28 is formed centrally with a-n opening 31, and thecap '29 is'provided cen. trally with an opening 32. Interposed be` tween the extension 24 andthe cap 28 is an apertured packing element` 33 having4 its opening aligning with the opening' 31. Ar-

ranged between the cap 29 and the extension 25' is an apertured packing Aelement 34, hav ing its opening registering with the opening 32. The packing. elements 30. 33 and 34 are he plate `17 formed lintegral therewithv afp'a-irgof annularv ribs 35 f and 36 and with the? e l rmer surrounding and spaced from thefopening 2 0, .and-.with .the

opening721`.l yBetween the rib 3 5 and the wall of the opening 20, the inner face of the plate 17 is formed with an annular groove 37. constituting-a ball race, and said plate 17 has groove 38, which constitutesa balll race.

Arranged against-the innerface 'of the within the race 'f37', and positioned against the inner face ofthe plate-17, asY well as being' confined between vthe' annular-rib 36 is a 'latter surrounding and spaced from the -I its inner' face provided between the'rib 36V .and-wall of the opening'21 with an annularv cage 41 provided with bez'iring balls 42 whichl travel in the race 38.

Keyed` to` the shaft"11,gwithin. the upper i ortion of the chamber 18,- is a driving pinion 43, which bears -against the'ba-lls 40, The hub of the pinion 43 is extended, as. atv 44, and peripherally threaded as atl 45.

Threadedly. engaging with the extended i' i I hub 44 of the driving pinion 43, is an adjustingV device 46 for. a conoidal-shaped cage 47, provided with bearing balls 48 which engage the inner face of the extension `23'.-

Arranged within `the-lower portion of the chamber 18 is a spur driving gear 49, havingl formed integralv therewith a pair of oppositely extending spindles50, 51, the forme-r projectingrearwardly with res ect t0 vthc-1 to project through'and beyond the tubular extensions 24 and25. Thel spindle 50l e x tends through .the packing element 33 and Iwheel 49 and-the latter forwar 1y thereof. The'spindles 50 and 51 are of alength as cap 31, andthe spindle 51 extends through the packing element 34 and cap` 32.' The spindle 511s provided 'with a lperi herally threaded portion 52, a polygona -shaped portion 53 and a reduced cylindrical longi-` l tudinally grooved portionA 54. lllngaging with the threaded portion 52 of the spindle 5 0 and riding against-the inner fac'eof the. extension 54, is an adjustable bearing 55 of a construction similar to that of the bearing .employed -in connection with .the extended hub of the pinion 43.

The spindle 51 is formed with a peripherally threaded portion 56, Y aV polygonalshaped portion 57`and.a reduced cylindrical longitudinally grooved portion 58. Engag. `ing withv the threaded portion 56 of the spindle 51, is an adjustable bearing 59 which rides against the inner" face ofthe extension 25 'and is similar in construction as -the adjustabley bearing set forth in connection with the extension of the hub. of the pinion 43.

The gear wheel 4 9 is driven -from the pinion 48 and is supported within the chamer 18`by the bearings 55 and 59 .in connection with the extensions 24y and 25. The

Wheel 49 has one side formed lwith an annular-flange 60 which rides against -the\ beari ng balls 42, carriedl by the cage 38.

rllhe transmission 3 is f the speed change type and.when operated drive the shaft Ilv which carrying the pinion 43 will revolvethe same and as the pinion.43 meshes v vith the gear Wheel 49, the latter will be driven from the `pinion 43. f

The casing of the transmission 3 is provided with lateral flanges 61 secured by the hold-fast devices 62 to Latransversely extending portion 63 of the chassis or frame v1, and saidl casin is also connected to a transversely extending support 64,4secured to they chassis or frame 1.

Leading to the differential 6' 'andeoperatively drive shaft 66 for driving the front wheels 7. The drive shaft 66 is connected by a universal joint connection with the spindle 5 1. The universal joint connection, see Fig-f spherical body portion 67 open at one side and having its other side provided with a lateral tubular sleeve 68, having its inner face registering with the wall of an opening 69. Longitudinally disposed ribs 70 are formed integral with the innerV face of the sleeve 68 and the Wall of the opening 69 vand which are adapted to engage in longitudinal grooves- 71 formed 'in that end of a spindle or 51 extended into the sleeve 68. By this arrangement the spindle' is keyed to thesleeve 68. for driving the joint connec tion. The spindle is furthermore secured to the sleeve 68 by a set screw 7 2.

The body portion 67 at its top, is formed With a rectangular enlargement 73 andat its bottom with a similar'enlargement indicated at 74. The' enlargement 7 3.has a rectangular opening 7 5, and the enlargement 67 is formed Witha rectangular opening 76. One end of the 4enlargement 73, as well -as the lenlargement 74 is cut away to form a lug 77 and a pair of clearances 78. Extending into each clearance 78, at each .side of a lug 77 is an ea 79, depending from a rectangu-` lar closure plate 8O vvhich isfpositioned upon the enlargement to close the opening therein. The ears 79 are pivotally lconnected to the lug 77, as at 7 9 Bearing against one end of the plate 8O is a spring -81 vfor A. normally maintaining the plate in closure position. The'springs 81 are secured to the body portion 67 by the hold-fast devices 82. The opposed side walls ofthe opening 75 "theinner face of said body connected with the spindle 51 is a or 76, centrally thereof, is formed with' a bore 83, and each bore '83 at ,its inner end communicates with an opening. The-bores 83 1n` each Venlargement are arranged in alignment.

The body portion 67 has an integral-con-bltinuous end'fiange'85 from whichprojects.

the enlargements 73 and 74. .Connected vto the flange 85 of the body portion 67, by the hold-fast devices 86, is an extension member' er face of arcuate'contour,'

87 having its'inn as at 88, to forma continuation of the inner -face of the bodyl portion 67 and a bearing for theinner section of the joint. The eX- tension member 87 is annular in contour and angle-shaped in cross section, and' not only abuts against the ange'85 of the .body portion` 67, but overlaps the flat portion 84 of portion 67 at the vopen side thereof. v v

I The inner section ofthe joint connection consists of a spherical body portion89 inclosed by and bearing against theinner face ofthe body portion 67 of the outer section. The body portions 67 and 89 are capable of shifting relatively to each other, and saidbody portion 89 is formed with a cylindrical extension 90, 'provided with a socket 91, for

the reception of the outer end of the shaft 65 or 66. The wall of the socket 91 has a lseries of 'ribs 92 forv engagement in longitudinal grooves 93, formed in the periphery of one end of a drive shaft 65 or 66 and by this arrangement the drive shaft is con.- n'ected to the innersection of the joint to be driven therefrom.

The body portion 89 of the inner section is provided with a diametrically extending opening 94 and medially With a cylindrical bore 97 ,which extends at right` angles with respect to and communicates with the opening 94, as well as opensat the periphery of the body portion 89.

The opening 94, at its ce-nteriis circular and of substantial diameter, and further is upon a compound flare, from its center to the periphery of the body portion 89, as at 95, 96. The flare at 96 is greater than the flare95. The flare 96 is arranged outwardly with respect to the flare 95. The flaring portions of the opening 94v are of oval contour and the opposed side walls, centrally thereofjat each end of' the opening, are inset so that the intermediate portion of each end ofthe opening is contracted as at 96. The flares 96 at the ends of the opening 94 provide beveled tracks .fo'r friction rollers, to be presently referred to, carried by the combined coupling and drive pin forthe inner and outer sections of the joints.

The sections of the joint are coupl d together toyprovide for the driving of t ie inner Ysection from the outer section, through the medium rof a .combined coupling and drive pin 98, whicl//i/y is, cylindrical in contour and provided at each'end with aY reduced terminal portion 98, thereby forming a shoulder 98.'- Mounted on and secured to each terminal portionv 98 is arectan ular head 99. One of the heads 99 is positioned inan opening 75 and the ,other inthe open-v ing'76. Each of the heads 99 is formed with la transversely extendingopening 10.0, which registers with the bores 8 3 'in' *au enlargel ment, and extending through the'opening 1 00 and the bores which register therewith is a securing member 101 iii-the formfof a headed bolt abutting against one side Otan .enlargement and projecting. from theoppo .5

site side and carryinga securing nut 101.

' The securing elements lOl-connect the heads 99 to the pin 98, andthe pin and heads to the body portion 67 of the outer section, and

as the pin 98 extends through the .opening 9,4, the bodypoi'tion' 89 of.the inner section is connected to `the body 'portion 67 of the outer section whereby. a driving connection is set up to provide for the operation ofthe inner section from the outer-section.

Rotatably mounted on each reduced ter niinal portion di the pin 98, between ahead 99 and a shoulder-98 is a bevelled roller 100 which travels on the track formed by the flare 96. The rollers 100 are provided `to overcome wear on Athe p in 98, which of the smaller sidelof the rollers 100.

The oppositely disposed flaring portions of the opening 94 are so set up as to over.

come anyl cramp in the joint up the about thirty degrees of`an angle when the sections of the `other.

--The rear wall `'of the opening 75 as Well as the rear wall of the opening 7 6,is grooved,

as at 102 to provide alduct for the entrance of lubricant to the inner sectioiiof the joint, and the opening 97 also providesgineans for conducting lubricant fr om the interior to the exterior of the head 89. The du'cts 102 are closed by the plates 80.

The casing of the differential 6 is formed with` a pair of oppositely disposed tubular extensions 103, 104 and eachof which has its outer end formed with a laterally extending annular flange 105` see Figures 6 and 7. The extension 103 houses the axle section 106, and the extension 104 has arranged therein` the axle section 107. Associated with each axle section, as well as being foperatively driven therefro1n,is an axle spindle and which arrangement is illustrated clearly in Figure 7. The differential l6 may be of any suitable construction, and constitutes means for driving-the axle -sections joint 'are shifted relatively to each 106, 107 in the same manner .as the dileren'- .tial 4 is employed for drivingthe` axle sec-` tions of the rear axle.

Figure 7 ofthe drawings illustratesvthe l' 1 Atubular .extension 103, having ari'anged..'l0'` therein the axle section 106, and drivenfrom the section 106 through the medium of a'unij versall joint driving connection is an vaxle `spindle 108. The. universal joint driving `Connection comprises an outer section 110 75 and an inner 4 section 111 constructed ina manner similar to that referred to 1n connection with the universal joint connection dis. fclosed in .Figures 8 to 12, with this excep- -thatthe cylindrical extension o the inner section 111 is of materially greater length than the cylindrical extension 90, and fuiftliferinore'the cylindrical extension of vthe inner section 111 is not provided with a socket 91 `as the cylindrical, extension 90. The cylindrical extension of the inner section 111 constitutes the axle spindle 108 95 and at its outer end is formed With'peripheral lengthwise extending grooves 115'. Y Otherwise than that as stated, the universal joint driving connection shown in Figure 7 is similar in construction tothe universalV Y joint driving connection shown in Figures 8 to 12, and under such cond1t1ons it is`unnecessary to lspecifically describe the con` struction of the joint shown in Figure 7( The axle section 106 is formed with pe- 105 ripheral lengthwise extending grooves 116 in which are seated the ribs 117 formed on 1 the inner face of the sleeve 112, whereby the inner sectionwill be connected with the axle section 106 and revolved therewith.

Surrounding, as well as being spaced :from the sleeve 112, is a collar 118 of substantial Width and thickness and against which abuts the flange 105;

Hold-fast devices 119 extend through the flange 105 and engage in 115 .the collar 118 for fixedly securing said collar to the-tubular vextension 103. Formed lintegral with the top and bottom of the colvlar 118, centrally thereof, is a pair of outwardly projecting superposed arms 120,121 4120 and each of' said arms is provided with a pocket 122, for the reception of the inwardly extending arms of a knuckle element 123. The arms of the knuckle element 123 arevarranged -in superposed relation and the upper arm is indicated at 124 and the lower arm at 1,25.A The arm 124 extends into the 'pocket 122 of the arm 120 and the arm 125 v extends intothe pocket 122 of the arm 121. I

The lower portionof'the arm 120 is pro- 130..

- Walls of said openings provide means for securing fixed pivotl members for the arms I 124 and 125. The fixed pivot memberfor the arm 124 is indicated at 128, vand the lixed pivot member for .the arm 125, is indi- 'cated at A129. .'Each of said lixed pivot members `consists of a cylindrical shank having a reduced' peripherally threaded inf ner terminusand 'a headv at the outer end of the shank. The outer portion of the arm 120 is. formed with antopening130 of' greater.` diameter than the opening 126, and the lowerportion of the arm 121 is rovided with an opening 131 of greater diameter than the opening 127. They arm 124 has an opening `132 of the same diameter as the opemngl30,

"and the arm 125 hasan opening 133 of the -same diameter as the opening `131.

25' shank of the'pivot member 128 .extends The through the openings 130 and 132'and has its reduced threaded terminal engagingl the I v 1 -Formed integral' with the outer end of the v threaded wall'offthe opening'126. "The pivot member 129 -extends 'through the openings -131 and 132'a1id has its`reduced threaded Ii'er terminal secured; to .the threaded wall O f the opening 127. The head of -the pivot member-128 abuts against the -outer face of the arm 120, andthe head of the pivot member 129 abuts -against the outer. face ofthe arm 1,21. By this .arrangement the knuckle element'123 can-swing when 'occasion` so ren quires upon'the pivot-members 128, 129.

' bearing lThe upper face of the arm 124, as well Tas the upper .face of the arm 125, is provided with. iannular pockets 134, 135 and 136. Within `each pocket 134. is varranged a bearing elementf 137 which contacts witli` a plvot tacts withy an arm 120 or an arm S121 and within the pocket 136 "is arranged avpacking- ,member'139 whichcontacts with an arm 120,

The knuckle element 123 further includes 'a sleeve 140,/formed with peripheral threads v 141 and with a reduced terminal ortion 142.

The axle spindle 108- extends t rough the sleeve 140.

'interposed between the @011er- 118 and the', with the pe sleeve 112, as Well as enga ripheral threads jofthe s eeve.v 112, .1s

'an adjustable bearingelement 143 of avl construction similiar to the adjustable- 'elementas employed in .,connec" ltion with-the extended hubof the pinion 43. Interposed between. the flange 110 and the collar 118 isV a bearin element 144.

Surrounding, as wel as spaced from the sleeve .140, is a wheel hub formed of .an

inner sectwn and an outer section. Sd

on the inner end of the' body po'rtion` 146. The flange 147 has projecting inwardly therefrom an at right-angles thereto'anl annularA collar 149, .which carries on its inner facel 'a packing element-150 riding against a shoulder 151 formed on' theknuckle eleihent 123. Interposed between thefinnerend of the body portion-145 and the knuckle element-123, as well as being inclosed by the collar. 149, is

ody.

a bearing element152. Interposed between I the body portion 145jai1dtlie sleeve 140, as

well as engagmgwth the peripheral threads1 of said vsleeve140, isfan adjustable ,bearing .element 1 53 of a construction similar to the adjustable .bearing element shown in connectionf Withthe-extended hub of thepinion body portio1.1 146 `is a p1ate'154,- having an openln 1 55 for the passage ofthe spindle `108. ormed integral wit and'vprojecting miv from Ithe outer' face of the plate 154 is .a hollow.cylindrical extension156 which incloses the outer end of the spindle 108, andsaid extension 156 `has. its inner face'provided withribs 157 which engage in the'fgrooves 115 for the purpose of connecting they spindle to thev body portion'l46 whereby the latter will be revolved with' thespilidle. The extension 156 has peripheral threads 1158 with -which engage theinterior threads'of a cap piece 159 employed toelose the outer end of the extension 156. The s okes ofthe wheels, not shown, lare connecte to the anges 147,

148,. .bylthe tie bolts '160, 'and these .latter `are also lernplo ed' f orfcon-nect'ing two secv tion of the-hu together .so that the entire hub with the other elements 'of the wheel connected therewith,- will be revolved upon isi-.a .casing 161 'containing a lubricant 162.

' l .The knuckle element 123 is provided witha curved 'arm 163, pivotally attached tofone end of the connecting rod '10. One of the kuckle elements -isitobe Iprovided with an varm 164 'for connection with the steering mech'a'l'iism.A

The tubular. extension. 103 is .provldd with a plate licarry-'ng depending bolts 166. which in connection-with. a plate 167v couuieay 'front spring '8 with lthe extension' Frol'nf of drive as Set joint drivin forth, a universal joint driving connection f is interposed between a driving element and the transmission shaft leading to the difierential for the front axle, further, a universal connection is interposed between each ront axle section and a spindle and furthermore means is arranged at each universal joint connection in the front axle to provide for the steering of the front 10 wheels of the vehicle from the steering mech- -anism. Each universal joint connection is so` constructed to overcome any cramp 0n the connections up to a shift of approximately thirt degrees of anangle, thereby7 providing or satisfactory driving and furthermore enabling the driving of the front Wheels in unison withthe rear whee1s', and although the preferred embodiment of-- r the inventionis as described 'and illustrated,y yet itis to be understood that changes in the i details of construction can be had which will fall within tlie scope-y of the invention as claimed. Y

In a, driving mechanism for the front wheels of. a motor vehicle,` a driven front axle section, a driven spindle element for the front wheel, a front wheel hub fixed to thev outer end of said spindle and further surrounding and lspaced therefrom, a knuckle Velement having a tubular portion extending lntosaid hub and surrounding said spindle 'of the spindle element and the axle section relatively to each other 4to approximately thirty degrees, a housing for the axle section, I pivotal connections betw'eenthe knuckle element and said housing, an adjustable bearing element interposed between said housing and saidv universal joint connection and lthreadedly engaging with the latter, an annular bearing element between said universal joint connection and said housing, an, adjustable bearing velement mounted in said hub and threadedly engaging with lsaid tubular portion, and an annular bearing element niterposed between the hub and saidknuckle elementi1 v In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature hereto. n

. SWENEY MUNSON. 

